System and Method for Enhanced Social-Network-Enabled Interaction

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided to provide enhanced social networking to users of remote computing devices. Users of the disclosed system are able to interact with other participants in real-time and in relation to experiencing live or recorded media content. The system receives audio data that is captured by the user's device, wherein the audio data includes a processed or unprocessed audio sample of the media content being viewed by the user. The audio sample is compared to a database containing audio samples from a number of media programs to determine whether a match exists. If a match is found, the system determines other participants who are, at the same time, viewing the matched media program and establishes a connection between each of them. The connection enables participants to exchange real-time messages, participate in polls, and receive offers.

1 . A computer-implemented method, comprising:
 receiving a first audio stream from a first device of a first user;   comparing, at a computing apparatus, the first audio stream to stored audio streams to identify a second audio stream corresponding to the first audio stream;   retrieving, by the computing apparatus, a content identity corresponding to the second audio stream;   compiling, by the computing apparatus, information based on the content identity; and   transmitting, by the computing apparatus, the information to the first device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 establishing, by the computing apparatus, a connection between the first device and a second device of a second user;   receiving, at the computing apparatus, a communication from the first device; and   transmitting, by the computing apparatus, the communication to the second device.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the communication is to be viewed from a chat interface of at least one of: the first device and the second device. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the first device is at least one of: a smartphone, a personal computer, a tablet computer, a gaming console, and a television. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving first audio data, wherein the first audio data includes at least one of: a first user identity and a GPS coordinate. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the information includes at least one of an offer and an invitation that can be selected, at a predetermined time, by at least one of the first user and the second user. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising making a determination that the first device and the second device are in differing time zones, and in response to the determination not establishing the communication. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising storing the information in a database that maintains demographic information. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising granting access to the database, wherein said access facilitates analysis of the information in relation to at least one of: offers, invitations, and inquiry responses. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 transmitting, by the computing apparatus, an inquiry to the first device;   receiving, from the first device, a reply to the inquiry; and   performing, by the computing apparatus, an action based on the reply.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the communication comprises profile information associated with at least one of: the first user and the second user. 
     
     
         12 . A computer-storage device storing instructions which, when executed by a computing apparatus, cause the computing apparatus to perform a method comprising:
 receiving a first audio stream from a first device of a first user;   comparing the first audio stream to stored audio streams to identify a second audio stream corresponding to the first audio stream;   retrieving a content identity corresponding to the second audio stream;   compiling information based on the content identity; and   transmitting the information to the first device.   
     
     
         13 . The computer-storage device of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 establishing, by the computing apparatus, a connection between the first device and a second device of a second user;   receiving, at the computing apparatus, a communication from the first device; and   transmitting, by the computing apparatus, the communication to the second device.   
     
     
         14 . The computer-storage device of  claim 12 , wherein the first audio stream corresponds to at least one of: a live media broadcast and a pre-recorded broadcast. 
     
     
         15 . The computer-storage device of  claim 12 , wherein the second audio stream corresponds to at least one of: a live media broadcast and a pre-recorded broadcast. 
     
     
         16 . A system, comprising:
 at least one processor; and   memory storing instructions configured to instruct the at least one processor to:
 receive a first audio stream from a first device of a first user; 
 compare the first audio stream to stored audio streams to identify a second audio stream corresponding to the first audio stream; 
 retrieve content identity corresponding to the second audio stream; 
 compile information based on the content identity; and 
 transmit the information to the first device. 
   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the memory storing instructions are further configured to instruct the at least one processor to:
 establish a connection between the first device and a second device of a second user;   receive a communication from the first device; and   transmit the communication to the second device.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the first audio stream is configured for compilation or to be compiled at the first device based on sound received by a microphone connected to the first device. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the information includes at least one of: a second user identity, second user information, polling data, an offer, and an invitation. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the memory storing instructions are further configured to instruct the at least one processor to:
 transmit an inquiry to the first device;   receive a reply to the inquiry; and   perform an action based on the reply.   
     
     
         21 . A computer-implemented method, comprising:
 receiving a program identity from a first device of a first user;   retrieving, by a computing apparatus, a content identity corresponding to the program identity;   determining eligibility of the first user to communicate with a second user based on the program identity and the content identity;   compiling, by the computing apparatus, information based on the eligibility; and   transmitting, by the computing apparatus, the information to the first device.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising comparing a first audio stream, received from the first device, to stored audio streams to identify a second audio stream corresponding to the first audio stream.